Met with the elite ultrarunner Daphne @ SM Bacoor for a run to Tagaytay. She thought we’d be starting there…but we took a bus.

By near 5am, we were already at McDonald’s Tagaytay.

After a a short breakfast, off we go to the direction of People’s Park.

A 6.97K run in 45 minutes 48 seconds. Highest Elevation is 672m, with 297m elevation gain. I was catching my breath here. Ave Pace here is 6 minutes 34 seconds per KM on a rolling hills with much inclines.

A 9.63K run in 1 hour 2 minutes 39 seconds. Highest Elevation is 744m. with 291m elevation gain. I was pushing myself hard to catch up with Daphne’s pace. She was just taking it easy. As I try to catch up with her, I am also trying to catch my breath. And here’s the funny part – she was just picking some flowers along the route. :) LOL I would get to overtake her at downhills – but she would just overtake me too everytime we go up. Ave Pace here is 6 minutes 30 seconds per KM over too many up and down hills.

Some view up the People’s Park:

Taken via FX Camera

Was cold up here! See the road that declines behind?

We took a stop at SF grocer to get some water.

After a short break that seemed too long, we crossed the street and head up to the direction of Nasugbu.

Perfect Find

It was a 5.01K run in 39 minutes 19 seconds. Ave Pace is 7 minutes 50 seconds. The route is mostly uphill. Highest elevation is 734m with 214m elevation gain. I felt a very heavy leg here until we passed by Mushroom Burger. The world seemed to stop and all I want is to eat. LOL. But we didn’t event stop to enter.

It was a 5.04K run to finish. I thought it will be faster because it was mostly a route that goes down. But I was forced to walk a few times.

We Averaged a Pace of 7 minutes 41 seconds per KM. We took time to have a picture too. Daphne was even egging me at going to Mahogany Market. I knew that if we did, we’d end up in a table somewhere there with a bowl of Bulalo – and scrap the last 5K out. LOL

elite ultrarunner Daphne

the forefoot jogger

We were just starving when we reached Olivarez Plaza. No stopping us now. We ate at KFC. LOL. Unable to find some good meal with soup or noodles.

A Lifeline to Africa Run

Rain4Africa, Lifeline Foundation’s response to the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time

On July 20 of this year, the United Nations officially declared the crisis in the Horn of Africa as a famine. Tens of thousands have died, in fact more than 29,000 children under the age of 5 have died in the months of June to August. This famine was caused by excessive drought, back-to-back failed crop seasons, the 20-year civil war in Somalia and rising food and fuel prices worldwide. More than 12 million people are affected in three countries and are in need of aid. It is hard to wrap our minds around that figure; the idea of 12 million hungry people is almost too large to comprehend. With the amount of bad news we get on a daily basis, it may just be too easy to turn a blind eye, especially because of the sheer numbers involved. Some people may prefer not to face this horrific reality. But face it we must. We must choose to do just the opposite—we must choose to get shocked and horrified at these unthinkable statistics. They must keep us awake at night. They have got to bring out the best in humanity and spur us on to action.

Someone once said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” That’s exactly what Lifeline Foundation is doing, we are responding to the call for global aid. We’re people who are just like you—students, businesspeople, doctors, nurses, dentists, teachers, musicians, engineers, counselors, graphic artists and writers who are all friends living in the city of Manila. One of the things we live by is “Third world helping third world;” as we believe that the Philippines should not only be on the receiving end of aid.

On November 13, 2011 Lifeline Foundation is holding Rain4Africa, A Lifeline to Africa Run in Westgate Filinvest Alabang. 100% of the proceeds from this run will go directly to the World Food Program (www.wfp.org). Race categories are 3k, 5k and 10 k, and registration is Php400 for all categories, inclusive of timing chip and race bib. No loot bags, just care. No singlets, but we do ask all participants to wear bright colors in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Africa.

According to the World Food Program, “50 cents a day is enough to feed a hungry child or a mother on the edge of survival.” We can do this. We can raise what is needed to save lives, to save the future. Join us on November 13! Call 8362514 or visit www.alifelinetoafrica.org for more details about Rain4Africa.

After attending the blogger’s night and hearing about what is written above i felt so sorry for the people experiencing these droughts and famine. We really can never compare (by way of imagination) how it is – when death is most prevalent.

The Initial Info

50 cents ($) is equal to about P 25.00. That is the amount needed to feed a person. They die of hunger. Hence, the response from Lifeline Foundation, and the call to all runners. What is 1 day of race and registration sent to a donation? It’s worth more than we can only imagine. For one, P 400.00 could feed more than 1 or 5 lives. For whatever it’s worth, I’m sure – the registration will save lives. If that’s not enough for a good reason…I don’t know what is.

Fat-Ass 2011 24-hour run. Was able to complete 88 kilometers. No blister.

21K up to infinity

Obviously, I prefer this one on my long distance runs. I like the wide toe-box and the cushioning. Feels light to me too!

MIM 42K. 1 blister. Same spot as PAU Fort Mag, and PAU 2nd T2N.

Last 85 kilometers of BDM 160K. Endured the blister acquired from the F50.

21K down. Speed shoes.

Now this one is my favorite (no offense meant to the Orange one – yes, I have an Orange while this one is Green) on Pikermis’ 10-milers and 5K to 10K short runs. First used this @ BDM 160K after KM 66. Was able to catch up on my time but I ended up with a big blister and a swollen foot. Blame it on the rocky road of Lubao.

I like this shoe best on my 10-milers and 5K runs. Was able to record good times with these. No blisters at all if 21K and below only on good road running surfaces.

Wet or dry – I run at almost the same speed (given the same condition at time of race). I regularly use this one on my weekday sprints. It’s just built for it.

Up for a good break-in is the Orange F50, and the ClimaCool. Watch-out for it.

A GLIMPSE of the map would give anybody who’se not there an idea where we ran.

Well, that’s what I thought our route will be. . .and it’s not.

We ran inside FORT Magsaysay, and out to the Highway in LAUR, Nueva Ecija. BY this time, I can feel the heat of the sun already.

Before we started the race, the Team (BORING) made a roll call of runners. We were all asked about our pace so that the crew will know where and what vehicle we shall be using as support.

I initially gave an 8 minutes per kilometer to 8 minutes and 30 seconds. BY the time we were packing the bags and preparing the supplies – it dawned on me that I have to conserve more. I have MILO Marathon in 2 weeks time.

So I shifted. To 9 minutes per kilometer. Which is the safer pace I think. It’s a fast jog – and an injury-free pace, I think.

It shows you how long I have been using it, not to mention the training runs, and for how long I was wearing the shoes. I don’t change, you know. I rarely do that. With the Pegasus +25 Bowerman Series, I am confident to start and finish any race with it. Intact.

Until the Nuvali Trail Challenge. Where the rubber soles really gave out to the harsh stony trail. While I like the ride when I roll with on any downhill, the rough stony edges really killed the shoes.

Hence, for the 2nd time, I am finally retiring this great shoes. I hope to find one anywhere. I will surely buy the same good pair. It’s the best I’ve ever had – and I want a repeat of performance with it.

The team met at McDonald’s Buendia corner EDSA @ 1am. We hoped to be on the road by 2am to still have more time for rest before the gunstart.

It was a festive morning. We’re just having fun like we always do.

With TEAM MOA

With TEAM MOA

With TEAM BORING

The Crazy BORED peeps

Wacky Team of Bored Runners

A few minutes were spent waiting for a little light from the sun. It was too dark to start on a trail and almost everybody has got no light. :)

And off we go…to a welcoming trail of soft soil. No more than 2kms, a big group took a wrong straight. We’re supposed to turn left. I did. They dont. They go straight.

The atmosphere was just quiet and serious. Very little chat, except with the Chito and Mel tandem. Some runners just do not know how to respect others. The mouth is there for a purpose. Some of them would just cut at full speed – without a word. Part of the trail is just not meant for 2.

The first loop was a good run. It was a bit hot but that was expected. After a meal break and a rest for 20 minutes, I walked.

See the following:

My Race Plan

My Actual Race Splits

The Retired Shoes

Yes, I must retire the shoes now. While it gave me a good ride again, the sole was just so battered by the stony trail. I even got 2 small blisters on my left toe. It was too hot. The road to KM 9.5 was just too long on the 2nd loop. I gambled and carried only 1 small bottled water. I ditched the hydration bag – it suddenly felt so heavy. My gamble paid off. I was lighter. But then I suffered and got dehydrated. All the water stations seemed so far. Thanks to one of the marshalls on bike. I asked for a small amount of water and was given.

When I finally reached KM 15.5 water station, I started to run. I was able to refill and drink lots of water. I even used some iced-cold water to pour on my head and neck and chest.

Then I got so thirsty again. And KM 22 is just too far. Thanks to the man below. He saved me.

With Robert Alvarez

When I first saw Robert with JOjo, I got nothing but picture.

1st Loop shot by JOjo Pauly

But on the second loop, I was really looking for a water. And Robert was just at the right place. He even gave me a hammer gel. And a salonpas for my sore calf muscle. What a relief.

I picked up the pace for the 7kms. I was confident to beat the time. I was almost gliding at the stony trail.

Near the last stretch to the finish line…

…and the few meters to bliss!

...meters to the last turn...

..a few steps to the FINISH LINE...

The heat made the whole experience very challenging. I got thirsty but not tired.

The atmosphere at the finish line was just jubilant. Everybody was just happy for everybody.